Santa Barbara is sometimes referred to as the American Riviera. Her beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and colorful culture make Santa Barbara a premier resort destination. World-class accommodations and dining await her many visitors.

Santa Barbara is little more than an hour's drive north from Los Angeles or a short hop from any corner of the world via the Santa Barbara airport. Santa Barbara's harbor is home to the world famous Stearns Wharf; a great destination for the entire family. The zoological gardens are known as a great family day-trip.

From the City, you are just minutes away from the Santa Barbara wine country. The gorgeous Santa Ynez Valley, with its breath-taking vistas, is home to such notable attractions as Solvang and the Chumash Reservation.

Whether you enjoy hiking, fine-dining, water sports, lazing on the beach, culture, or a great night-life, Santa Barbara has something for everyone.

Condo prices in mid 2006 in Goleta and Carpinteria area START at $387,000 for 1BR's, and $450,000 to $500,000 for 2BR's. In Santa Barbara 2BR condos start at $565,000 to $600,000. Many first time buyers start at the Santa Barbara Highlands, where 2BR 1.5Baths are $650,000 to $700,000. They are 32 years old and feature fees of $364/mo., carports, fireplaces, 2 pools, spa and a central hillside location close to beaches and the city. 3BR condos in the city start around $700,000.

There are homes for sale in the city of Santa Barbara priced between $650,000 (for a 1BR) and $8 Million. As the downtown area is older (1920's), most of the entry level (cheaper) homes are 60+ year old 2BR's on small lots with no garage. The few homes priced under 800,000 you probably wouldn't want to live in without a remodel.

There are 2 locations for ocean view homes: the Mesa and the Riviera. The Mesa is popular because it is close to the beaches and ranges in price from $1,000,000 to $3,600,000. The Riviera has fancier, newer homes from $1,500,000 and up.

Other popular residential locations include San Roque, priced from $900,000 to $2Million, the East-side, with many older large homes priced from about $800,000 and Hidden Valley, with 25 year old 3 and 4BR homes selling for $1,000,000 and up.

The community of Montecito is an outgrowth of a resort area to which wealthy people flocked during the late 1800's, attracted by the mild climate, mineral hot springs and mountain and ocean vistas. The area has many great houses on large estates with lush lawns, shrubs and trees, and is located just just a few freeway exits South of the city of Santa Barbara.

Montecito is one of the most exclusive and expensive areas in the state of California, with homes on the market priced from $1,500,000 for fixer-uppers on small lots to $29 Million. (Two movie stars each paid $40 Million for their homes in the last few years). Montecito prices fell up to 30% in the early 90's but prices have rebounded, so now is the time to buy before Hollywood buys it all up

Montecito real estate is one of the crown jewels of Santa Barbara real estate. Small, quaint and charming cottages on smaller lots of Montecito begin around $2 million. A guard gated oceanfront condominium complex, Bonnymede and Montecito Shores offers 1 bedroom condominiums for sale around $1,000,000. and 2 bedroom condominiums for sale beginning around $1.7 million. Montecito real estate also offers some of the most magnificent estates in the world with prices beginning at $5 million. The most expensive Montecito real estate purchase to date was made by Oprah Winfrey in the $40 million range.

Carpinteria is a small oceanside city located in the southeastern extremity of Santa Barbara County, California, east of Santa Barbara and northwest of Ventura. The population was 14,194 at the 2000 census.

The Spanish named the area Carpinteria because the Chumash tribe, which lived in the area, had a large seagoing canoe-building enterprise, or "carpentry shop" there; this was due to the availability of naturally-occurring surface tar which was used to seal the boats. You can still see the tar oozing out of the bluffs at Tar Pits Park, on the beach just south of the campground.

Carpinteria Beach is known to have a gentle, sloping terrain and calm waves. Seals and sea lions can be seen in the area December through May, as well as an occasional gray whale. Tidepools contain starfish, sea anemones, crabs, snails, octopuses and sea urchins. A popular campground is located adjacent to the beach. There is good bird watching at Salt Marsh Nature Park.

The city of Carpinteria is served by the Carpinteria Unified School District, which also includes the community of Summerland, and all outlying areas. It includes one high school, one middle (junior high) school, and five elementary schools, as well as two alternative schools (one K-8, one 9-12). Cate School is another school in Carpinteria, a private preparatory school and one of the most sought-after high schools in the nation.

Pacifica Graduate Institute, home of the Joseph Campbell and Marija Gimbutas Library, is located in Carpinteria. This graduate school hosts master's and PhD programs in depth psychology and mythology.

Carpinteria High School's football team, the Warriors, defeated Moorpark High School in 51 consecutive games which is a national high school record.

Since 1987, the California Avocado Festival has been held in Carpinteria on the first weekend of October.

Carpinteria State Beach is often called the "world's safest beach."

Santa Barbara Polo Club, one of the main equestrian polo fields in the country, is located within city limits.

Summerland is a beautiful community nestled along the Pacific Coast between the cities of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. Many recognize its colorful, hillside buildings and Big Yellow House restaurant visible from State Highway 101 a few miles south of Santa Barbara. While visiting, you might come upon the polo fields where weekly games are enjoyed or scan the beach below Highway 101. Some stop to eat or to play at the beach, but most want to shop for antiques.

Founded in 1889 by rancher Harry L. Williams, the town attracted a unique population as this man with an interest in the supernatural invited others to join him. The Big Yellow House which, like many original buildings in town rumored to have ghosts, was built in 1884 as the founder's personal residence.

An oil boom quickly turned the beachside community into an eyesore as drilling operations and derricks took over in 1896. The town's Miramar Beach regained its scenic beauty as the oil played out and operations moved offshore to the many platforms visibly stretching along the coastline today.

Summerland now proudly sports itself as a town with a unique history. Numerous antique stores befit a community founded on the premise that ghosts and spirits live. Below is a list of antique dealers who set up shop in Summerland.